Soaring [ej caswell]

Fourteen: Valentine's Day

Auditions for the Spring musical got off with a bang. Gina, Ash, and I showed that we're all leading ladies.

The new girl sang like an angel... and acted like, am I allowed to say "devil"?

And Nini may be off in some far-away castle, but somehow I got Belle!

If this is a fairy tale, I don't wanna wake up.

"Okay, people. The title song of Beauty and the Beast is the centerpiece of our show. Written at the height of Ashman and Menken's powers, and it's their most romantic ballad since Suddenly, Seymour. As a reminder, Belle is finally falling for the Beast, and it's not because of Stockholm syndrome, you all. Love is love" Carlos says.

It's been a couple weeks now and I'm still on cloud 9. Like this is happening. But I'm nervous, like super nervous.

"Ricky and Bella, it's time to review the waltz. Let's take it way under tempo" Gina says.

Gina and Carlos are teaming up on choreo which is awesome. They are both incredible dancers but we all knew that.

Ricky places his hand on my waist as mine goes onto his shoulder and my other hand in his.

"Tale as old as time..."

"One, two..." he counts as we step, but he steps on my foot.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yeah. Sorry. Super tired" Ricky chuckles lightly.

"Can you at least use both your feet?"

"Barely even friends"

"Uh, yeah. Sorry" he answers.

"Kourtney, honey," Miss Jenn stops us, "I know we aren't up to show tempo, but sing out, and make sure to really look at Belle and the Beast during the song. Remember, what Mrs. Potts is observing is a miracle. Belle is the most beautiful girl in the land, and the Beast is, I'm sorry, Ricky, beastly. Maybe close your eyes and imagine the full scene in makeup and wardrobe. Ready?"

"Hey, do you mind if I take a quick five?" I ask.

"Everything okay, honey?" Miss Jenn asks.

"Yeah, of course" I answer quickly, grabbing my jacket.

"You good, Belle?" EJ asks.

"Yes. I said I'm fine" I say walking out.

This is so dumb. I know who I am and I'm proud of who I am. But, I mean, I've seen the movie hundreds of times. Belle has a certain look. It's iconic. And that look isn't really me, and sometimes, that feels complicated.

After calming myself down and giving myself a little pep talk, I head back to the rehearsal room and the bell rings. Welp, so much for that.

I walk back in and grab my book bag.

"Hey" EJ says quietly.

"Hi"

"Walk with me?" He asks.

"Sure" I smile.

We walk out of the room and start down the hallway.

"Are you okay?" He asks and I sigh.

"I'm not so sure now" I say honestly.

"Talk to me"

"I love being the lead in the show, and I love that everyone apparently thinks I can be. It's just a lot of scrutiny, I guess, or self-scrutiny? I'm just not used to it, do you know what I mean?"

"I mean, a little... I guess?" he tilts his head to the side.

"Honestly, I think it feels kind of strange to me to be playing an ingénue this semester for many reasons"

"Wait, why?"

"You're really asking?"

"You're amazing, Belle. I honestly think you should play the princess in everything" he says and I smile.

"Thanks EJ. Not to boost your ego or anything but you're the best" I say, giving him a nudge.

"Ego is boosted" he smirks.

"Well shit" I giggle.

"Don't doubt yourself ever, you hear me? You are so talented. You are Belle for crying out loud. You're my Belle"

I'm his Belle.

"Stop making me smile" I blush.

"Sorry, but that's my favorite thing to do" he shrugs.

"I'll see you at lunch okay?" I ask.

"Of course" he smiles before we walk separate directions.

I'm his Belle. What if there was plot twist where Gaston changes his ways and he ends up with Belle? That's a big change in the plot, but nothing is wrong with a little change. Am I right?

"Bellaaa" Gina sings.

"Hey" I smile.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I just kind of freaked myself out with the dancing and just being Belle. It's a little overwhelming"

"Come on, waltzing is hard, trust me. You've got two legs but the song's in three. That's madness"

"I guess I just don't feel like a natural Belle yet. I mean, we've all seen the movie. She's..." I sigh.

"A cartoon. And you're her everything"

"Well, now I wanna give you a Valentine" I pout my lip.

"No, I've actually got a pretty good one coming" I give her a look, "I mean, it's from my mom, but you know, love is love"

I giggle at her.

"I saw you talking to your man, what did he say?" She asks.

"He's not my man, G"

"Not yet" she winks.

"You and Ash are on the same wavelength" I shake my head.

"We're just not blind"

"Whatever"

"Well, what did you two talk about?" She digs.

"He said that I'm his Belle. He's called me Belle for years now" I blush.

"That's so freaking romantic. Oh my god, you two are so cute"

"Oh for heaven's sake"

"I'm sorry, I'll drop it...for now. Let's get to class" she smiles, linking her arm with mine.

"I need to grab one of my books real quick, hold on" I say as we stop at my locker.

I open it with my normal bang to the door and there was a single rose and a little note attached to it just sitting in my locker.

"Bella, you better stop right now" Gina gasps.

I open the note and it says,

"Happy V-Day Belle!
I know you love flowers, especially when they're unexpected.
Thank you for being you.
Love you.

-Eej"

I smile and smell the rose.

"Let me read it" Gina says, just itching to know what it says and who it's from. I hand her the note and she places her hand on her chest.

"That is literally so sweet! You two are going to make me cry" he says fanning her face.

"Oh my God, you're so dramatic" I laugh, "Lets go"

We walk to class, arm in arm, and I smelled the rose the whole way there. I really am Belle aren't I?